Den sorte drom. 1911. Directed by Urban Gad.

(1/17/00)

This film was also shown with untranslated intertitles. During the first part of the film (maybe half) there were hardly any titles at all, but I still couldn't follow it, so I wonder if some of the titles were missing. I didn't find it very interesting until the scene where the two men have a duel at cards and then the film came alive for me. It probably would have been truly absorbing with adequate translation.

Asta Nielsen is intense and always interesting to watch. There is one scene in which it seems she is willing to sell herself to this man to get her boyfriend out of trouble. The sheer revuslsion she shows in that scene is amazing.

The Abyss (Afgrunden). 1910. Directed by Urban Gad.

(1/17/00)

This film was shown with untranslated Danish intertitles, so it was not possible to follow the story. I was just able to enjoy watching Asta Nielsen's performance.

The best scene takes place in a theater where Nielsen and a partner do a dance routine. At first I thought they were rehearsing, but later it became obvious that this is actually a performance. Nielsen lassos her partner during the dance--it's a really interesting scene.

There is a confrontation at the end when Nielsen stabs a man she is involved with (?) who is about to go after her former boyfriend after seeing him give her money. I had a momentary lapse of concentration and wasn't able to tell if she intended to stab him or if it was an accident. I wish I could see this film with English translation.